City Manager's Update, March 18, 2012

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO: City staff met with the project manager for the . Phases 1A and 1B which include the new sidewalk, wall, entry and refurbished gatehouse will be complete and construction barricades removed before the .

Staff met with the owner, who is on track to complete maintenance and tenant improvements, remove all construction fencing, and open for the Swallows Day Parade.

Staff has received two formal proposals to include and the OC Arts Center. Two other wineries that had expressed interest have not submitted proposals. Staff will bring this item to City Council on Tuesday

Staff conducted an on-site walk through of the property and determined development is consistent with approved plans. The annual report was submitted and complete.

The Planning Commission approved 5-1, the environmental impact report, responses to comments will be complete and forwarded to those making comments the week of March 19. The City Council’s public hearing is scheduled for April 3.

EAST OPEN SPACE PARK: Staff has reviewed a park master plan proposal by the Open Space Foundation and will forward the project to the City Council on March 20.

EAST OPEN SPACE LEMON GROVE SITE (Part 2): Installation of irrigation wires, lateral pipes, and emitters at each proposed tree location is still in progress at the property area west of Reata Road. All main line valves and quick couplers have also been installed. Other equipment, such as the irrigation controller, flow meters and fertilizer injector, is expected to be delivered shortly and will be installed when received. The project will be complete mid-March.

NAME THAT PARK (or East Open Space Park, Part 3): The Youth Advisory Board is working on the “Park Naming Contest” for the city. The contest is for participants in sixth-12th grades and is open to San Juan Capistrano youth to submit a name for the open space area that is currently referred to as the Lemon Grove Site. The deadline for submitting entries has been extended to March 20, 2012, by 4:30 p.m. The entries should be based on historical and cultural names of local significance, geographical, natural, or geological characteristics, plants or animals indigenous to the location. The City Council will choose the winning entry. For further information call the Community Services Department at (949) 493-5911.

The plans have been returned by the civil engineer and landscape architect to be presented to the City Council on March 20.

BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY: Building activity has been increasing since the beginning of the calendar year. In February 2012, we issued 85 permits for a valuation of $9,108,891 and conducted 651 building inspections. Permit issuance for the fiscal year to date is 652 permits with a valuation of $24,424,372.

CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY: Code enforcement officers have been busy the last three months with multiple requests that have resulted in a number of new cases being opened to include:

• December 2011 - 62 New Cases
• January 2012 - 139 New Cases
• February 2012 - 135 New Cases

DEL OBISPO STREET BRIDGE WIDENING: The contractor worked on construction of the bridge deck and deck overhang forms. They sandblasted residual concrete off of the rebar sticking out of the constructed bent caps and diaphragms. They also installed inserts for dry utility hangers, which will be set in the deck concrete. The project completion date is June 2012.

COMMISSION VACANCY: The City Council declared a vacancy on the Open Space, Trails, and Equestrian Commission. The commission’s duties include to review and make recommendations to the City Council and/or Planning Commission with regards to the city's Open Space, and Equestrian and Recreation Trails Plan. Applications are due to the City Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office or on the city’s website at www.sanjuancapistrano.org. 

KIDS RUNNING PROGRAM: A new 8-week pilot program, “iRun for Fitness,” is being offered through the Community Services Department to serve San Juan Capistrano children, kindergarten through fifth grade. This program is a structured, physical activity program that will be held after school at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park on Mondays and Wednesdays. The goal is to promote a fun and healthy lifestyle for children. Students will earn mile markers for each mile they run, and will accumulate 26.2 miles−a whole marathon. The starting date is Monday, March 26.

OH WHAT A (SUMMER) NITE: Band selections have been made for the 2012 San Juan Summer Nites’ concert series (beginning June, July, August, and September on the third Wednesday of the month). Long-time favorite, “The Doo Wah Riders” – a country-Western band – will perform on June 20. “Family Style” – a rhythm and blues band – is set for July 18. We will slow it down a bit for Aug. 15 with “Close Harmony” – a swing band. Completing the summer series on Sept. 19 will be country-Western band, “Raining Horseshoes,” which will appear on stage at the park for the first time. For a complete concert schedule call (949) 493-5911 or visit our web site: www.sanjuancapistrano.org and click on the calendar link.